Whether you are interested in a career in PMU but feel deterred by any misinformation or you are an experienced artist looking for a link to send to your client to put their mind at ease: this article is for you!

Unfortunately, there are many untruths surrounding PMU and the procedure itself which can put off both clients and potential beginners. In this blog post, we are going to debunk the 7 biggest misconceptions about this industry that could be preventing clients from accessing life-changing treatments or stopping any newbies launching their dream career.


Myth no. 1: Permanent makeup is painful


Possibly the biggest false notion within the entire industry is that all PMU procedures are extremely painful for the client. This is simply not the case!

The level of discomfort experienced during the procedure depends on the individual pain threshold of the client. Some clients report a slight scratching sensation whereas other clients may find that some parts of the treatment are more sensitive than others, for example, creating the lip border during lip blush.

Like with traditional tattoos, some clients even report that they enjoy the feeling or find it relaxing. There is the option to pre-numb clients for more uncomfortable procedures like eyeliner or lips and we would always suggest checking in with the client’s pain levels regularly throughout, to apply more numbing cream if necessary.

There may be instances where a client will experience increased discomfort due to consuming alcohol before an appointment or around the time of their period for female clients. We cover this in our blog post here and these are things you may wish to discuss with the client prior to appointment to minimise any pain.


Myth no. 2: Permanent makeup looks unnatural and fake


It is likely that this misconception dates back to old pictures of blue/black brows and brown lipliner in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Those who are not within the industry or haven’t undergone a PMU procedure may not be aware of the huge technological advances in cosmetic tattooing in recent years.

If a client has contacted you to enquire about a treatment, it is likely they have looked at your social media or website and are well aware of the standard of your work. However, they may still need to convince their family or friends that their results will be completely natural!


Myth no. 3: There is only one style of brows


Similar to myth no2, the idea that there is only one style of brow available will again be based on past knowledge of older techniques. Some clients may think that microblading is the only method available, in which case, you can speak to them about the differences between machine and microblading method (see our blog here for a refresher).

Those with limited knowledge of PMU are also unlikely to be aware of all the different styles that can be created, with machine method in particular. A great way to showcase the different brow styles you offer as part of your PMU service is to post images on your social media, describing and comparing the different styles and advising which clients may be better suited to each.


credit: @contouredcosmetics_ & @pmu_beauty_by_kasia_zadluzny

Myth no. 4: It is 100% permanent


Yes, we do refer to microblading and micropigmentation as ‘permanent’ makeup. This is because the pigment that is implanted will not 100% disappear from within the skin, once a client has a treatment. However, this pigment does significantly fade over time and clients who wish to maintain results do require regular touch ups every 12 to 18 months to keep the treatment looking fresh. If a client does believe this misconception and thinks one session will provide perfect brows for a lifetime, make sure they know that touch-ups are essential!

There are also very safe and effective removal options available for those who have PMU they wish to remove, such as saline tattoo removal which we cover in our blog here. We also cover all the other correction options in our blog When PMU Goes Wrong.


Myth no. 5: It is exactly the same as a traditional tattoo


Nope, definitely not true! The skin on the face is very different to the skin on the body, with a complex vascular structure meaning that permanent makeup techniques, products and equipment need to account for this.

The formulation of permanent makeup pigments (inks) differ significantly from tattoo ink as results are intended to be softer and more natural, compared to the vivid, bright colours of a tattoo. We go into detail of all the key differences between tattoo ink and PMU pigment in our blog here.

PMU artists tend to use thinner needle cartridges for the accuracy and precision required in micropigmentation, compared to traditional tattoos. The two treatments are very different which is why it is so important for artists to only use fully tested PMU products from reputable brands, like those we stock at Killer Beauty.



Myth no. 6: Permanent makeup is only for brows


Like many of the other myths, this is another outdated misconception and completely inaccurate. Although brows are one of the most popular treatments and one which most people have heard of, PMU services now include lips, eyeliner, scalp micropigmentation, freckles, beauty spots and areola tattoos.

Advances in technology within the industry means that new styles and treatments are constantly emerging, and we have no doubt that PMU services will expand to include new and innovative treatments beyond just brows in the future!


credit: @salembrowsss & @gemmahendersonpma

Myth no. 7: Permanent makeup is only for women


Another outdated misconception about PMU which is completely false, for a number of reasons. Although PMU is often used for cosmetic enhancement, it is also used in medical tattoo treatments when treating alopecia clients, cleft-lip tattooing, breast cancer survivors or burns victims. Most of these treatments can be hugely beneficial for all genders and can completely restore their confidence.

Areola tattoo artists also offer medical treatments for trans clients who have undergone a mastectomy or are unhappy with how this area looks. Artists are able to really listen to their client’s needs and produce some life-changing results.

Scalp micropigmentation treatment for hair loss and hair thinning is also a form of permanent makeup where clients are predominantly male. This non-invasive treatment has exploded in popularity in recent years due to the affordability of the treatment and the guaranteed result, compared to other more expensive options such as surgical hair transplants.

As with traditional makeup, beauty products for brows, lips and other parts of the face are not exclusively for female consumers and there is no rule to say that all genders cannot enjoy cosmetics too. Similarly in the PMU industry, artists are seeing a lot more non-female clients who wish to enhance their natural features with micropigmentation and artists are creating some stunning results for clients of any gender.



There you have it! 7 of the biggest myths and misconceptions in the PMU world completely debunked. Make sure you share this blog with any sceptical friends or family members if they fail to see the worthwhile investment in training to become a PMU artist and all the opportunities this can offer. Usually, people are uneducated about the topic or their only knowledge is in relation to older, outdated methods which are no longer used. Most sceptics are pleasantly surprised to learn about the huge advances in PMU technology and to see the show-stopping results that artists can create.